Nasheed arrested for skipping trial

FARES-MAATHODAA, Maldives, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Police arrested former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed Monday for failing to show up for his corruption trial, officials said.

Nasheed was detained at the home of a supporter on Fares-Maathodaa island while campaigning for next year's presidential elections, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The former leader, who was the country's first democratically elected president in 2008, skipped out on the first week of his abuse of power trial. He had been banned from leaving the Maldivian capital of Male without permission.

Nasheed faces charges of unconstitutional arrest and detention of Chief Criminal Judge Abdulla Mohamed, which led to widespread protests, the president's loss of support from the military and police, and his subsequent resignation in February. Nasheed, though, said he was forced out of his position through a coup.

If found guilty, Nasheed could be prevented from running in the presidential election next year, the British newspaper The Guardian reported.

Nasheed will remain in custody until he next court appearance, Voice of America reported.

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